9 Perennial Herbs to Grow Alongside Your Vegetables
Companion planting isn’t just a great way to save room in your garden; it also helps your plants grow better! Certain herbs can support the growth of vegetables, keep pests away, and even improve their flavors. Herbs like fragrant basil and rosemary can do a great deal to your garden when planted alongside your veggies. Let’s look at 9 awesome plant pairings to make your garden thrive!
1. Basil—A Flavor Booster for Tomatoes and Peppers
Basil is more than just an ingredient for pesto; it’s a great companion to tomatoes and peppers! It boosts their taste and helps keep away annoying pests like aphids and mosquitoes. This herb loves warm weather and pairs well with other herbs like parsley and cilantro. Remember to pinch off any flowers that start to grow to get the most out of your basil plant. This will help the plant produce fresh, fragrant leaves throughout the season!
2. Bay—A Hardy Herb That Pairs Well with Beans
Bay leaves are great for adding flavor to soups and stews, but they also have an important role in the garden. This slow-growing plant does well when planted near beans, rosemary, and sage, as its strong-smelling leaves can help keep pests away. While it takes a little while for a bay tree to grow, once it does, it can provide you with delicious leaves for cooking and help your garden thrive for many years.
3. Chives—A Natural Pest Deterrent That Attracts Pollinators
Chives are great for your garden because they help keep bugs like aphids away while also bringing in friendly bees and butterflies. They grow well with other plants like tomatoes, carrots, and sunflowers, making them a helpful addition to your garden. Plus, they add a nice mild onion flavor to your dishes. If you let some of their flowers grow, they’ll attract more pollinators, but don’t forget to trim them regularly to enjoy fresh chives all season long!
4. Dill—The Perfect Companion for Tomatoes and Cabbage
Dill is a great plant to have in your garden because it attracts helpful insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which can keep harmful pests like cabbage worms and aphids away. It grows well next to tomatoes, peppers, and cabbage family plants, so it’s a must-have for any garden. Just keep in mind not to plant it near carrots, as dill can slow down their growth. To enjoy fresh dill throughout the season, consider planting it in different batches.
5. Lavender—More Than Just a Fragrant Herb
Lavender has a strong smell that keeps away pesky insects like moths and beetles. At the same time, its flowers attract helpful pollinators like bees and butterflies. You can plant lavender next to vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower or even under fruit trees for natural pest protection. Plus, it looks great alongside other herbs like rosemary, oregano, and thyme, making for a lovely and fragrant garden.
6. Marjoram—A Versatile Companion for Many Vegetables
Marjoram is a fantastic herb that’s not well known. This aromatic plant grows well next to vegetables like eggplant, onions, potatoes, and peas. Not only does it help these plants grow better, but it also keeps pests away with its strong smell. Plus, marjoram adds delicious flavor to soups and roasted dishes. To get the best results, it’s important to plant it in soil that drains water well and to trim it often, which helps it grow bushy and healthy.
7. Oregano—A Powerhouse Herb for Peppers and Squash
Oregano is also great for keeping pests away! This resilient herb pairs well with peppers, beans, and squash, helping to protect your plants from harmful bugs. Oregano is easy to grow, even in not-so-great soil, and doesn’t need much care to thrive. To make it taste even better and encourage its growth, remember to trim it back from time to time. If you want to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden, let some of its flowers bloom in late summer.
8. Rosemary—Aromatic Protection for Your Garden
Rosemary also has a strong smell that keeps away pests like cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies. If you plant rosemary near vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and beans, it can help keep them safe from these bugs. Plus, rosemary grows well in dry conditions, making it easy to care for in any garden. Just make sure it gets plenty of sunlight!
9. Sage—A Natural Pest Repellent for Cabbage and Carrots
Sage can repel annoying insects like cabbage moths and beetles, and it grows well next to beans, carrots, and other vegetables. If you want to create a strong herb garden, sage works nicely with other herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme. Just remember, sage doesn’t like too much water—so it’s best to let the soil dry out a bit and ensure it gets plenty of sunshine.
Sources:
Herbs That Can Be Planted Together: The Best Combinations
Companion Planting for Vegetables & Herbs
